The Finger Lakes Trail through Potato Hill State Forest and the Summerland Farm Preserve #48.1

Tuesday 06/09/2026 4:00 pm

Hike rating:

Distance – 4 miles; Terrain – Moderate; Pace – Moderate; Overall rating – Moderate

Event/Trailhead location:

FLT crossing at Level Green Road, shoulder parking (click for map)

Hike Leader:
Lucy Gagliardo

Contact:

Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike. 

Hike Details:

Start and finish at the FLT trailhead on Level Green Road.  This is a 4 mile out-and-back hike rated moderate in Potato Hill State Forest and Summerland Farm Preserve.

We will follow the Finger Lakes Trail/North Country Trail north-east for 1.1 miles, beginning at the FLT juncture on Level Green Rd, through Potato Hill State Forest to Blackman Hill Rd. This pleasant, meandering trail has a slight elevation but is not too strenuous. There are two creek crossings, so bring hiking poles. We will then cross Blackman Hill Rd. and continue on the recently rerouted Finger Lakes Trail through the Summerland Farm Preserve,  The trail takes us up a hill of open fields for spectacular views on a clear day. The FLLT recently built a memorial circle where earlier generations enjoyed the land, a nice place to take a snack break.

Potato Hill State Forest is comprised of 915 acres which includes a five acre pond. It is reforested farmland acquired by NYS DEC in 1938 and 1940, with two additional purchases in 1975 and 1980.  It was originally cleared for pastureland by European settlers and Revolutionary War Veterans and the name of this forest attests to the large scale planting of potatoes in the area by early Irish Immigrants.

The 140 acre Summerland Farm Preserve, a recent generous donation to the FLLT for preservation, is a mix of forest and meadow, home to bobolinks and meadowlarks. https://www.fllt.org/preserves/summerland-farm-preserve/

Registration is open!

Register

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Registration Confirmation: You will receive an email if your registration was successful. (Check your spam folder if you don’t find it.)

EMAIL THE LEADER IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING!  Please be courteous to your volunteer hike leader and fellow hikers by notifying the leader if you will not be able to join this hike.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Wear weather-appropriate layered clothing, waterproof footwear, and bring rainwear “just in case.” For winter hikes expect temperatures to be colder than in downtown. Always carry water, a snack/lunch, and personal first-aid supplies. Hiking poles are recommended.
  • Wearing permethrin-treated clothes and/or using insect repellents, as well as checking for ticks afterward is advised. Consider using insect-repellent mid-spring through mid-fall.
  • When conditions might be icy or snowy, bring traction footwear devices (Microspikes, Nanospikes, etc.) to the trailhead. If conditions require snowshoes, the hike leader will let participants know beforehand.
  • Always check the website for last minute announcements and possible cancellations. Contact the hike leader if you have any questions.

ALL HIKERS/TRAIL-WORKERS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK
Those persons enjoying the Finger Lakes Trail and/or activities sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club, or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, accept full personal responsibility for their own well-being, and for the well-being of a minor when acting in the capacity of parent or guardian. Further, participants understand that hiking, snowshoeing, and trail work are rigorous activities, often conducted in rugged outdoor conditions subject to variations in weather and terrain, and which may involve the risk of injury or death.  Each participant is fully responsible for their own safety and for selecting activities that are consistent with their physical capabilities.

BY CHECKING THE “ACCEPT RISK” BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND AM PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY AT MY OWN RISK

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Cayuga Trails Club

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